Colts owner Jim Irsay enters the Hamilton County Government and Judicial Center before his plea bargain hearing.(Photo: Michelle Pemberton / The Star)

Colts owner Jim Irsay will miss his first game since the team moved to Indianapolis in 1984 — and his second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth.

After a Hamilton County court sentenced Irsay to a year's probation in his impaired driving case, the NFL suspended the billionaire for six games and fined him $500,000.

The suspension begins at 5 p.m. Wednesday and prevents Irsay from attending practices or games, including Sunday night's regular season opener at Denver. Irsay, an avid user of Twitter, is also prohibited from using social media and doing interviews. The fine was the maximum under current NFL rules and tied for fourth-largest in league history.

Within about three hours Tuesday, the legal system and the NFL delivered punishments that had been speculated on since Irsay's March 16 arrest by Carmel police.

Late Tuesday morning, a Hamilton County judge accepted Irsay's guilty plea to one count of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, a Class C misdemeanor. Irsay admitted having hydrocodone, oxycodone and alprazolam (Xanax) in his system.

Irsay's sentence included one year of probation, during which he may not consume or possess alcohol, and his driver's license was revoked for one year and 40 days.

The punishment was "typical," said attorney Steve Stoesz, who has experience with cases similar to Irsay's in Hamilton County.

The prosecutor's office also made its first public comments on why it did not file felony charges against Irsay. The initial charges included four counts of felony possession of a controlled substance. Police reported "finding numerous prescription medication bottles containing pills."

Spokesman Andre Miksha said the prosecutor could only go forward with the felony charges if Irsay didn't have "a valid prescription or the authority of a doctor."

"Given what we had," Miksha said, "we didn't believe those would be charges we could make."

After his plea agreement hearing, with reporters waiting in front of the court building in Noblesville, Irsay used a tunnel to another building across the street to leave without being seen and speaking publicly.

Irsay later released a statement saying, "I acknowledge the mistake I made last March and stand responsible for the consequences of that mistake, for which I sincerely apologize to our community and to Colts fans everywhere."

The NFL announced its punishment in a statement from commissioner Roger Goodell. The league's owners, management and coaches "must be held to a higher standard than players," the statement said. It added that during a meeting, Irsay told Goodell that "owners should be held to the highest standard."

Goodell said the Colts did not have to forfeit any draft choices because Irsay's misconduct did not give his team a competitive advantage.

In the months leading to Tuesday's announcements, NFL players and many fans were wary of an owner receiving soft treatment under the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy, which gives Goodell sweeping power to impose discipline.

Irsay will be subject to random drug testing as part of his probation and the results will be shared with the NFL.

Judge J. Richard Campbell told Irsay in court that if he is arrested for operating while intoxicated within the next five years, the charge will be a felony.

While Irsay sought treatment in rehabilitation centers after his arrest, day-to-day control of the team went to his oldest daughter, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, 33. The same arrangement is expected during Irsay's suspension, although the Colts made no formal announcement on the subject.

"Nothing's going to change," Colts general manager Ryan Grigson said on the Dan Dakich Show on 1070 AM just before the suspension and fine were announced by the NFL. "We've been down this road before when he was away. Nothing's going to change. We've had plenty of adversity around here. This is another one we have to overcome."

It is the first time in Goodell's eight years as commissioner he has disciplined an owner for impaired driving.

After the 2010 arrest of Detroit Lions president Tom Lewand for driving while impaired, Goodell suspended him for 30 days and fined him $100,000. The suspension was reduced to 21 days when Lewand completed steps required by the league and the Lions.

The late Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams was fined $250,000 for making an obscene gesture to the crowd during a game in Nashville in 2009.

Irsay has spoken of chronic pain in his hip and lower back and admitted his addiction to painkillers. He also underwent treatment in 2002 for drug addiction.

Irsay's full sentence includes 60 days in jail, 58 of which were suspended. He received two days of credit for time spent in jail after his arrest.

The Colts will raffle off five Super Bowl rings to raise money for charity.The Indianapolis Colts will host a unique ãBlue Tuesdayä party on Monument Circle with live music, cheerleader autographs, Colts give-a-ways and more. The event will serve as the backdrop for a surprise announcement at 12:00 p.m. from Colts Owner Jim Irsay regarding a once in a lifetime opportunity for Colts fans across Indiana. 10/30/2007. Alan Petersime/Indianapolis Star
Alan Petersime Indianapolis Star

Colts owner Jim Irsay talks about the 40th anniversary of the Irsay family owning the Colts franchise in his office at the Colts complex on Thursday, October 6, 2011. (Matt Detrich / The Star)
Matt Detrich

FACES TELL THE STORY: The long awaited announcement that quarterback Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts were parting ways was a very difficult one by both Manning, left, and team owner Jim Irsay, at the Colts Complex on W. 56th Street in Indianapolis on Wednesday, March 7, 2012. Irsay said that it was "the conclusion of Peyton's playing career with the Colts" and he wanted to "honor all the incredible memories." Manning, who said he doesn't want to retire, said, "I still want to play. There's no other team I've ever wanted to play for. Nobody's had it better than I have, playing for the Indianapolis Colts these 14 years." He also said, "It's certainly been emotional. It's weighed heavy on my heart. But I am at peace with it." Charlie Nye / The Star
Charlie Nye Indianapolis Star

Luck listens as he is introduced at the press confrence by Colts owner Jim Irsay. This is from the Colts draft party at Lucas Oil Stadium Friday April 27, 2012 where number one draft pick Andrew Luck spoke to the media and then to a crowd of fans. Rob Goebel/The Star.
Rob Goebel Indianapolis Star

Former Indianapolis Colts running backs Eric Dickerson, left, and Marshall Faulk stand with owner Jim Irsay after being inducted into the "Ring of Honor" during halftime of the game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, December 15, 2013, at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Brent Drinkut/The Star

Quarterback Peyton Manning, of Tennissee, holds holds up an Indianapolis Colts jersey as he is flanked by Colts owner Jim Irsay, left, and NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue Saturday, April 18, 1998, in New York after being chosen by the Colts as the No. 1 pick in the in draft Saturday. (AP Photo/Adam Nadel)
ADAM NADEL AP

Colts Owner Jim Irsay, who is known for his fondness for rock and roll, climbed on stage with his guitar Saturday at his pre-Super Bowl party in Miami. His friend, Stephen Stills, was among the all-star band that backed him up as he covered Bob Seger's "Turn the Page." Cathy Kightlinger/The Star
Cathy Kightlinger

Colts quarterback Peyton Manning holds the 2010 MVP trophy while standing with Colts President Bill Polian and Colts owner Jim Irsay before the start of Sunday's pre-season game against the San Francisco 49ers on August 15, 2010. The Colts lost 37-17. (Matt Detrich / The Star)
Matt Detrich

Pictured here, Jim Irsay playing the Martin guitar that was a gift from freind, Singer songwrighter Stephen Stills. For a Cathy Kightlinger story on The Irsay Collection exhibit at the Indiana State Museum (Winter 2011-2012). Frank Espich/The Star
Frank Espich Indianapolis Star

Casey Coyle Irsay, 25, goofs off with her father, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, for a picture at the Colts Complex on W. 56th Street on Thursday, September 25, 2008. She is a vice president with the Colts and is being groomed by her father for a bigger role with the organization. (Charlie Nye / The Star).
Charlie Nye Indianapolis Star

Susan Williams (left) with Indiana Sports Corp,, Jim Irsay, owner of the Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Governor, Mitch Daniels and Indianapolis Mayor, Greg Ballard, on the front row during the Wednesday morning, July 18, 2012, news conference at Lucas Oil Stadium, for the official announcement of the economic impact for Super Bowl XLVI. the Mayor made it official as well that he has put Indianapolis in for the bid for Super Bowl LII in 2018. (Frank Espich/The Star)
Frank Espich Indianapolis Star

6/8/1984 -- Irsay the Guitarist --- Jim Irsay (right) hits a rock 'n' roll beat on the guitar at the Vogue night club. He played with Bob Kevoian (left), a WFBQ disc jockey, and Colts cinematographer Marty Hecksher. Several members of the Colts, including coach Frank Kush, were in the audience.
Rich Miller photo

The Martinsville custody case centers on Greg Martin's concern about the well-being of his minor children, ages 17 and 12, when they are in Irsay's presence.

In a letter to the court, Martin stated that his children were in the home of his ex-wife, Jami Martin, on the night of Irsay's arrest. The home is a few blocks from where he was arrested by Carmel police.